Featured Reviews

Diverse Reds from 3 Winemen

15 May,2017

3 Winemen is a small Christchurch based importing and
distribution business that has been operating since the middle of 2014. John Davies, an experienced wine industry
operator, is the ‘front man’ and the company has the services of Keith Isaac MW
in sourcing good value and quality wine.
The best-known brand in the portfolio is Castelnau Champagne (click here
to see my reviews), but there are wines from Australia, Argentina and Spain, as
well as ‘The Lakes’ Central Otago Pinot Noir, the 2014 vintage I rated at
5-stars (click here to see the review).
Here, I review three reds showing the diversity of their portfolio. www.3winemen.com

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Bodegas Crin Roja ‘Las Corazas’ VdT Castilla Tempranillo 2015

Tempranillo from Spain

15.5/20

Deep, dark-hearted ruby-red colour with black hues, lighter
on the rim with some garnet. The nose is
softly full with aromas of ripe dark-red berryfruit along with plum and
boysenberry jam notes, unfolding savoury dark herb and nutty elements. Medium bodied, the palate is gently sweet
with up-front flavours of dark-red berryfruit and plums, entwined with savoury
nutty notes. The fruit is underlined by
light, supple tannin extraction, and the mouthfeel shows lively acidity
providing energy. The wine flows easily
to a light finish of red fruits, dried herbs, earthy and nutty
suggestions. This is an up-front, easy,
sweet dark-red fruited Tempranillo with savoury earth, nutty and dried herb
elements. Serve with antipasto, tapas
and Mediterranean fare over the next 2 years.
Tempranillo from La Mancha fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged one
month in oak. 15.5/20 May 2017
RRP $16.95

Ch. Maine-Pascaud Cotes de Bordeaux 2015

Blended Red from France – Bordeaux

16+/20

Even, dark-red colour with some black hues and lighter
garnet on the edge. This has an elegant,
near-slender nose with tightly bound aromas of fragrant redcurrant and red
berryfruits, along with some dark herb and cool-spectrum leafy notes. Medium-bodied and elegantly proportioned, the
palate is slender in presentation with moderately concentrated flavours of
dark-red berry and redcurrant fruit, along with notes of red plums, herbs and
leafy elements. The mouthfeel is fresh
and bright with lively acidity and the wine follows a light, textured line,
leading to lingering flavours of redcurrants and herbs. This is an elegantly presented Merlot-based
Bordeaux red with redcurrant and red berryfruit flavours and leafy notes on a
light-structured palate. Serve with
herb-marinated lamb and beef dishes over the next 3 years. A blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet and 5%
Malbec, fermented to 13.5% alc., and aged 18 months in oak barrels. 16.0+/20
May 2017 RRP $19.95

Miles From Nowhere Margaret River Shiraz 2015

Syrah from Australia – Western Australia

16.5+/20

Impenetrable black-hued purple-red colour, a little lighter
on the rim, youthful in appearance. The
nose is softly full and well-packed with aromas of ripe blackberry and dark
raspberry fruit harmoniously entwined with notes of eucalyptus, menthol and
cedar, unfolding black ink nuances.
Full-bodied, the palate features sweetly ripe blackberry and dark
raspberry fruit entwined with notes of eucalyptus and cedar. The palate has plenty of alcoholic weight,
presence and warmth, and the fruit us underlined by light, supple tannin
extraction. The flavours are carried to
a moderately sustained, juicy finish with some grip. This is a sweetly ripe and juicy blackberry
and raspberry fruited Shiraz with eucalypt and cedary notes, on a palate with
alcohol warmth and power. Match with
barbecued and grilled red meat dishes over the next 3-4 years. Margaret River fruit fermented with a portion
of whole berries to 14.7% alc., the wine aged 12 months in French and American
oak. 16.5+/20 May 2017
RRP $18.95